Stop the Deportation of Jose, a Father and New Orleans Reconstruction Worker

Jose Walter Castro-Cruz is the father of 2 U.S. citizens, has lived in New Orleans for nearly 10 years, after moving there to help with the reconstruction of the city after Hurricane Katrina. Both of his children were born in Slidell, Louisiana, the only place they know as home.

Last year Jose was returning home from walking his son to the bus stop on his way to school. He encountered immigration agents who were looking for someone else, and in an effort to help, ended up sharing that he had a 2012 DWI charge. He was taken into custody, and ordered deported last December.

The New Orleans ICE office has insisted in keeping him detained and continuing his deportation process because they consider him to be “priority” for deportation under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines. DHS considers a DWI charge “significant” and a “that to public safety.” But ICE also has guidelines to evaluate people case-by-case, specifically when they have a DUI charge. Jose’s arrest did not involve an accident and he was not cited for reckless driving, he completed 2 years of supervised probation, he went through a driver improvement and substance abuse program and finished the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) victim impact program, and he is eligible for expungement of his conviction and has filed an application. Jose’s case is the definition – by ICE’s own standards – of a case that warrants discretion.

Jose’s recent deportation also makes him a “priority 3,” considered the “lowest” level of priority, for people ordered deported after January 2014. But even with his immigration history and his criminal record, he could qualify for the President’s deferred action program, and ICE could still use prosecutorial discretion in his case.

His family is working with the New Orleans Congress of Day Laborers to make sure that immigration authorities consider all factors in Jose’s case, including the economic impact and emotional suffering of his family and children, his contributions to the New Orleans community, and the efforts that he has made to recover and keep his family together.

Please join the New Orleans Congress of Day Laborers and the #Not1More Deportation Campaign in stopping Jose’s deportation.

Cc: David Rivera, Field Director
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
New Orleans ICE Office

Dear Director Rivera and Assistant Director Acuña,

I am reaching out to you as a concerned member of the public in the case of Mr. Jose Walter Castro-Cruz (A 206 918 995), who is the father of 2 U.S. citizens, has lived in New Orleans for nearly 10 years, after moving there to help with the reconstruction of the city after Hurricane Katrina. Both of his children were born in Slidell, Louisiana, the only place they know as home.

Last year Mr. Walter Castro-Cruz was returning home from walking his son to the bus stop on his way to school. He encountered immigration agents who were looking for someone else, and in an effort to help, ended up sharing that he had a 2012 DWI charge. He was taken into custody, and ordered deported last December. He as filed a request for prosecutorial discretion with the New Orleans ICE office, which is now under consideration, and which I am writing to support.

I understand that he has a previous charge for driving under the influence and a subsequent deportation order. Mr. Walter Castro-Cruz’s arrest did not involve an accident and he was not cited for reckless driving, he completed 2 years of supervised probation, he went through a driver improvement and substance abuse program and finished the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) victim impact program, and he is eligible for expungement of his conviction and has filed an application.

I urge you to consider all factors in Mr. Walter Castro-Cruz’s case, including the economic impact and emotional suffering of his family and children, his contributions to the New Orleans community, and the efforts that he has made to recover and keep his family together.

NotOneMoreDeportation.com is a campaign made of individuals, organizations, artists, and allies to expose, confront, and overcome unjust immigration laws.

As the immigration debate continues, #Not1More enters the discussion from the place that touches people in concrete ways and can offer tangible relief. By collectively challenging unfair deportations and unjust policy through organizing, art, legislation, and action, we aim to reverse criminalization, build migrant power, and create immigration policies based on principles of inclusion.Read More »